Spring 2015

Archeology

ARCH 2211. Minoans and Mycenaeans.

Explores the two important cultures of the Bronze Age Aegean: the Minoans of Crete, and more extensively, the Mycenaeans of the Greek mainland. Both societies left a rich material record of towns and palaces, burials, frescoes, and minor arts. They interacted with each other and with the Egyptians and other great powers of the time. For the Mycenaean Greeks, we also have readable documents, which reveal details about their economy, society, and religion. We discuss the archaeological techniques used to unearth and investigate this material and compare the Bronze Age realities with the stories preserved in Greek mythology.

ARCH 3302. Ancient Numismatics.

Surveys Greek and Roman coinage by examining a series of problems ranging chronologically from the origins of coinage in the seventh century B.C. to the late Roman Empire. How do uses of coinage in Greek and Roman society differ from those of the modern era? How does numismatic evidence inform us about ancient political and social, as well as economic, history? Classes will be held in the Bowdoin College Museum of Art and course assignments are based on coins in the collection.

Classical Studies

CLAS 1102. Introduction to Ancient Greek Culture.

Introduces students to the study of the literature and culture of ancient Greece. Examines different Greek responses to issues such as religion and the role of gods in human existence, heroism, the natural world, the individual and society, and competition. Considers forms of Greek rationalism, the flourishing of various literary and artistic media, Greek experimentation with different political systems, and concepts of Hellenism and barbarism. Investigates not only what is known and not known about ancient Greece, but also the types of evidence and methodologies with which this knowledge is constructed. Evidence is drawn primarily from the works of authors such as Homer, Sappho, Herodotus, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Thucydides, Aristophanes, Plato, and Hippocrates, but attention is also given to documentary and artistic sources. All readings are done in translation.

CLAS 2214. The Republic of Rome and the Evolution of Executive Power.

Examines in depth the approaches to leadership within the governmental system that enabled a small, Italian city-state to take eventual control of the Mediterranean world and how this state was affected by its unprecedented military, economic, and territorial growth. Investigates and re-imagines the political maneuverings of the most famous pre-Imperial Romans, such as Scipio Africanus, the Gracchi, and Cicero, and how political institutions such as the Roman Senate and assemblies reacted to and dealt with military, economic, and revolutionary crises. Looks at the relationship of the Roman state to class warfare, the nature of electoral politics, and the power of precedent and tradition. While examining whether the ultimate fall precipitated by Caesar's ambition and vision was inevitable, also reveals what lessons, if any, modern politicians can learn about statesmanship from the transformation of the hyper-competitive atmosphere of the Republic into the monarchical principate of Augustus. All sources, such as Livy's history of Rome, Plutarch's Lives, letters and speeches of Cicero, and Caesar's Civil War, are in English, and no prior knowledge of Roman antiquity is required. Note: This course fulfills the pre-modern requirement for history majors.

Greek

GRK 1101. Elementary Greek I.

Introduces students to basic elements of ancient Greek grammar and syntax; emphasizes the development of reading proficiency and includes readings, both adapted and in the original, of various Greek authors. Focuses on Attic dialect.

GRK 2203. Intermediate Greek for Reading.

A review of the essentials of Greek grammar and syntax and an introduction to the reading of Greek prose through the study of one of Plato’s dialogues. Equivalent of Greek 1102 (102) or two to three years of high school Greek is required.

GRK 3305. Tragedy.

Introduces the genre of tragedy through the reading of Sophocles' play Philoctetes. Considers the nature of tragedy, the particular style and interests of Sophocles, the place of the play within Sophocles' works, his relationship to other tragedians and the role of theater in classical Athens. Several other tragedies will be read in translation. The final portion of the course will be devoted to a production of a section of the play in Greek.

Latin

LATN 1102. Elementary Latin II.

A continuation of Latin 1101 (101). During this term, readings are based on unaltered passages of classical Latin.

LATN 2204. Studies in Latin Literature.

An introduction to different genres and themes in Latin literature. The subject matter and authors covered may change from year to year (e.g., selections from Virgil’s Aeneid and Livy’s History, or from Lucretius, Ovid, and Cicero), but attention is always given to the historical and literary context of the authors read. While the primary focus is on reading Latin texts, some readings from Latin literature in translation are also assigned. Equivalent of Latin 2203 (203) or three to four years of high school Latin is required.

LATN 3306. The Roman Novel.

All that remains of the Roman novel comes from two texts. Petronius’ fragmentary, funny,and often bizarre Satyrica (probably late first century C.E.) follows a same-sex love triangleslumming its way around ancient Italy. Apuleius’ Metamorphoses or The Golden Ass (late secondcentury C.E.) tells the story of a young man who dabbles in magic and accidentally transforms himself into an ass. The ass’ quest for salvation is the frame for several sub-narratives illuminating the larger story’s themes. In this course we focus on selections from one or both novels in Latin and complement these with the remainder in translation. The focus of the course is on a precise understanding of the Latin text and an appreciation of the author’s style, but we will also examine what the novels tell us about the social, historical, economic, religious, linguistic, and literary contexts in which they were produced. Research seminar.